sucks and lives." It is greatly to be feared that some clergymen, even men of undoubted piety, in their ardour for general knowledge, too much neglect the fountain head of sacred science, thus injuring their own devotional character and impeding their ministerial usefulness. In urging therefore the importance of subsidiary attainments in the clergy, it is of the highest moment to keep this point ever in mind; for though no species of knowledge can be considered useless which may benefit either the bodies or the souls of men, yet the spiritual demands of the sacred office are far too great and urgent to be satisfied with only a secondary or subordinate degree of attention. The de termination, therefore, of St. Paul "to know nothing among men but Jesus Christ and him crucified," should be as much the standard of clerical studies as of clerical doctrine; that so even the attainment of useful knowledge may not entrench upon the higher and more specific duties of the sacred profession.

The author has dwelt the rather on these considerations, because he believes that the best human hope for the stability of an established church, especially in times like the present, is for the nation at large to feel that the clergy are a real public blessing, and that their services cannot be dispensed with without mani

fest injury to the country. For any hierarchy to stand firmly, it must be enthroned in the affections and identified with the wants of the people. All other arguments will be unavailing, if this be absent; for men in general judge by facts, and not by syllogisms. If their pastors are found active, enlightened, and benevolent, they will usually be content, even under what theoretically appears a very imperfect system: if the contrary, not the wisest and most scriptural will escape animadversion and ultimate disruption. It is strongly remarked, on this subject, by a modern French author, that " the lights of knowledge and learning were introduced into Europe by the clergy. While this body assisted the progress of civilization, it preserved its wealth: when it permitted itself to be surpassed by the spirit of the sessions and authority were lost. the affairs of the world proceed. tutions are favourable to the wants of society, they are revered ;—when they become less useful, they lose their importance. There is no necessity for declaiming we may leave these matters to the ingratitude which is so natural to the people, to their inconstancy, and to time. All these are but too dexterous to break those instruments of which the public has served itself with advantage *."

age, its pos

In this way When insti

* Histoire des Croisades, par Michaud, tom. i. p. 190.

Such is the view which mere men of the world take of this subject; and though the Christian, believing in the providence of God exerted for the preservation of his church, of which we trust our National Establishment is a branch, would find it necessary to add some essential qualifications to such remarks as those in the above extract, and would particularly distinguish between the unworthiness of an agent, and the intrinsic value and imperishable nature of the system which he disgraces, "by placing his hand upon the ark of its magnificent and awful cause; "still it is very certain that Christianity assumes to ordinary and unphilosophical observers a mixed aspect, in which the faults of its disciples are often among the most prominent features. We have already seen Bishop Horsley's ominous prognostication with reference to this subject, to which many similar passages might be added from the writings of other eminent divines. The following, from Bishop Burnet's dying testimony, which was not to be opened till after his dissolution, is solemnly affecting in itself, and is so appropriate to the general argument that, long as it is, the author is not willing to omit it.

"The clergy," remarks the Bishop," are the dispensers of the word and sacraments; and the more faithful and diligent we are in this, the world will pay so much the more respect and

submission to us. And our maintaining arguments for more power than we have will be of no effect, unless the world sees that we make a good use of the authority which is already in our hands. It is with the clergy as with princes, the only way to keep their prerogative from being uneasy to their subjects, and from being disputed, is to manage it wholly for their good and advantage: then all will be for it when they find it is for them. This will prevail more effectually than all the arguments of lawyers, with all the precedents of former times. Therefore let the clergy live and labour well, and they will feel as much authority will follow them as they will know how to manage. well. They will never be secured or recovered from contempt, but by living and labouring as they ought to do. When I say 'live better,' I mean, not only to live without scandal, but to lead exemplary lives; to be eminent in humility, meekness, sobriety, contempt of the world, and unfeigned love of the brethren; abstracted from the vain conversation of the world, retired and at home, joining prayer and meditation with fasting; without which the latter may do well with relation to the body, but will signify little with relation to the mind. If, to such a course of life, clergymen would add a little more labour-not only performing public offices

and preaching to the edification of the people, but watching over and instructing them, exhorting, reproving, and comforting them as occasion is given, from house to house, making their holy calling the business of their whole life-they would soon find their own minds grow to be in a better temper, and their people would shew more esteem and regard for them, and a blessing from God would attend upon their labours. I say it with great regret, I have observed the clergy in all the places through which I have travelled, Papists, Lutherans, Calvinists, and Dissenters; but of them all our clergy is much the most remiss in their labours in private, and the least severe in their lives. Do not think I say this to expose you, or to defame this church: those censures have passed on me for my freedom during my life, God knows how unjustly; my designs being all to awaken the clergy, and by that means to preserve the church; for which He who knows all things knows how much and how long I have been mourning in secret, and fasting and praying before him. And let me say this freely to you, now that I am out of the reach of envy or censure, Unless a better spirit possess the clergy, arguments, and, what is more, laws and authority, will not prove strong enough to preserve the church. O my brethren-for I speak as if

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